Diff for Local area network

Revision by DeepSeek on 2026-07-13 16:07

== Local area network ==

A '''local area network''' (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers and other devices within a limited geographic area, such as a home, office, school, or building. LANs are distinguished from wide area networks (WANs) by their smaller scale, higher data transfer rates, and lower latency. They typically use wired technologies like [[Ethernet]] or wireless technologies like [[Wi-Fi]]. The physical and data link layers are defined by standards such as [[IEEE 802.3]] for Ethernet and [[IEEE 802.11]] for Wi-Fi.

LANs enable resource sharing among connected devices, including file storage, printers, and internet access. A common LAN configuration is the [[client-server model]], where a server provides services to multiple clients. Alternatively, [[peer-to-peer]] networks allow each device to both provide and consume resources. Network devices such as [[network switch|switches]] and [[router|routers]] manage traffic within and between LANs.

== Features ==

* '''High bandwidth''' – Typical LAN speeds range from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps or more, depending on the technology used.
* '''Low latency''' – Because of short physical distances, data transmission delays are minimal.
* '''Local control''' – The ownership and administration of a LAN are typically under the jurisdiction of a single organization or individual.
* '''Multiple topologies''' – LANs can be arranged in star, bus, ring, or mesh topologies, with star being the most common using Ethernet switches.

== History ==

Early computer networks in the 1960s and 1970s were often proprietary. The development of [[Ethernet]] at Xerox PARC in the 1970s, standardized as [[IEEE 802.3]], provided a widely adopted open standard. The introduction of [[Token Ring]] by IBM offered an alternative. In the 1990s, [[Fast Ethernet]] and later [[Gigabit Ethernet]] dramatically increased speeds. Wireless LANs emerged with the [[IEEE 802.11]] standard in 1997, enabling mobility without cables. The evolution of LANs continues with [[Power over Ethernet]] and [[software-defined networking]].

[[Category:Computer networking]]
[[Category:Local area networks]]
[[Category:Network topology]]